Used 2012 Volvo C70 Coupe Review & Ratings

The C70 has been produced by Volvo in some form or other since 1997, first as a coupe, for a while as a softtop, and for the past five years or so in its final and noteworthy format as a retractable hardtop convertible.

In this new and exciting format the Series Two Volvo C70 Coupe emerged from under the covers at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show causing a tremendous buzz throughout the car industry at the time. Developed as a joint venture with Italian automobile designer, Pininfarina, the first C70s sprung into the US in the spring of 2006. In its early days, the C70 caused as major buzz being one of the first coupes whose roof could retract, and the fact that it could do it in less than a minute made it a real talking point.

The Series Three and current version of the Volvo C70 Coupe was launched for the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, receiving h a major frontal revamp for 2012. The C70's snout now has much more of a wedge shape than in the past, with new and larger headlights while the fog lights and a new lower grille gives the car a powerful sporty appearance.

The 2012 Volvo C70 draws its power from a 2.5-liter inline five cylinder turbo-charged engine producing 227 horsepower and 236 pounds per feet of torque, paired with a five speed automatic transmission with a manual shift control. The C70 comes with front wheel drive as standard. With four wheels independent suspension the C70 Coupe holds the road well and provides drivers and passengers with a smooth, virtually bump free ride.

In terms of comfort ,the C70 coupe lacks very little, with plenty of head and leg room for driver and the front seat passenger spoiled in their bucket seats, while the two rear seat passengers will need to get by with just 36 inches of leg room and 39 inches of head room.

The C70 is as little equipped for carrying large items of luggage as it is for carrying rear seat passengers, especially with the roof retracted and taking up more than half of the trunks already minimal 12.8 cubic feet of cargo space. When the roof is retracted access to that precious six cube can only be through a piece of Volvo developed technology by the name of Load-Aid, which allows the roof and window glass sections just eight inches. So anyone considering making a long trip should forget carrying any large suitcases with them.